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Deputy PM visits Lao embassy on Bunpimay festival

VGP - On the Lao New Year Bunpimay Festival, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh visited and extend best wishes to the Lao Embassy in Viet Nam on April 11.

April 12, 2019 9:46 AM GMT+7

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (left) and  Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane

At the visit, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh affirmed Viet Nam considers Laos’ traditional New Year festival as its own and vice versa, and their exchanges of greetings reflect friendship, solidarity and partnership.

The Deputy PM said Viet Nam is working to realise agreements obtained between the two leaders to push relations toward effectiveness and practical outcomes.

Minh expressed his delight at thriving Viet Nam – Laos ties and regular visits between their high-ranking leaders.  He mentioned the recent visit to Laos by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Nguyen Phu Trong, saying it helped boost bilateral cooperation.

The Foreign Ministry will continue collaborating with the Lao embassy on such efforts and further extend cooperation opportunities for both nations, he added.

Congratulating Laos on its achievements after three years implementing the Resolution of the 10th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, Minh said he believes the country, under its Party’s leadership, will continue its gains in the future.

In turn, Lao Ambassador Thongsavanh Phomvihane said the Deputy PM and Foreign Ministry officials always create favourable conditions for the embassy to fulfill its mission.

He expressed his hope that the bilateral comprehensive co-operation would continue to be fostered deeply, bringing practical interests to both nations’ people.

Expressing his appreciation for Viet Nam’s assistance toward his country, the diplomat said Laos will step up its education on the bilateral relations and celebration of the two nations’ major events, particularly the 70th traditional day of Vietnamese soldiers in Laos (October 30, 1949).

Bupimay festival takes place in Laos on April 13 – 15 annually, with locals splashing water on each other to wish for good luck in the year ahead.

By Vien Nhu